Grip cover

ABSTRACT

A grip cover for a bicycle control device includes a high durometer portion that is configured to engage the bicycle control device to maintain the grip cover in contact with the bicycle control device. The grip cover further includes a low durometer portion that is connected to the high durometer portion.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/802,061, filed Jul. 17, 2015, the contents of which are hereinincorporated in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical hand actuated control devices such as brake/shifters or brakelevers for bicycles and other handlebar-steerable vehicles may include agrip cover that is stretched over portions of a control device toprovide a cushion and/or an ergonomic gripping surface for a user. Thegrip cover may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. The gripcover may be removable from the control device to provide access tointernal components thereof.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a grip cover for a bicycle control device is provided.The grip cover includes a high durometer portion comprising anattachment mechanism that includes a projection configured to engage thebicycle control device to maintain the grip cover in contact with thebicycle control device. The grip cover also includes a low durometerportion connected to the high durometer portion, the low durometerportion dimensioned to fit on the bicycle control device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of a road bicycle according toone embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of a bicycle control device ofthe road bicycle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of a housing of the bicyclecontrol device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of a grip cover of the bicyclecontrol device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is partial, sectional view of the bicycle control device of FIG.2 taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial, sectional view of a bicycle control deviceaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a partial, sectional view of another bicycle control deviceaccording to still another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a partial, exploded sectional view of a grip cover accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view of the grip cover similar to that shown in FIG. 8,except that a tab is coupled to a low durometer portion;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of a bicycle control deviceaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the bicycle control device of FIG. 10taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of a bicycle control deviceaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the bicycle control device of FIG. 12taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of a housing of a bicyclecontrol device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of a grip cover configured toengage the housing of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded schematic sectional view of the housing of FIG.14 and the grip cover of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of the housing of FIG. 14 and thegrip cover of FIG. 15 in a combined state;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a transition area of the grip cover ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a transition area of a grip coveraccording to another embodiment; and

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a transition area of a grip coveraccording to still another embodiment.

Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription, wherein similar or identical structures have similarreference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the disclosure herein, a grip for a bicycle controldevice is described. One exemplary handlebar-steered bicycle 20 isdepicted in FIG. 1. However, the present disclosure is practicable withother bicycles and other handlebar-steerable vehicles, as desired. Thebicycle 20 generally includes a frame 22 supported on a front wheel 24and a rear wheel 26. A drivetrain 28 is arranged to provide power to therear wheel 26. A front brake 30 and a rear brake 32 are arranged to slowrotation of the front wheel 24 and the rear wheel 26, respectively. Asaddle 34 is provided for use by a rider. Further, a handlebar assembly36 is arranged to control the direction of the front wheel 24 andcommunicate with the drivetrain 28, the front brake 30, and the rearbrake 32 to control operation thereof.

It is to be understood that the specific arrangement and illustratedcomponents of the frame 22, front wheel 24, rear wheel 26, drivetrain28, front brake 30, rear brake 32, and saddle 34 are nonlimiting to thedisclosed embodiments. For example, while the front brake 30 and therear brake 32 are illustrated as hydraulic rim brakes, hydraulic discbrakes are contemplated and encompassed within the scope of thedisclosure. Additionally, mechanical brake systems including mechanicalrim brakes and mechanical disk brakes are contemplated and encompassedwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

The handlebar assembly 36 includes a handlebar 38, a right bicyclecontrol device 40, and a left bicycle control device (not shown).Typically, the right bicycle control device 40 controls operation of arear derailleur 42 (part of the drivetrain 28) and the rear brake 32while the left bicycle control device controls a front derailleur 44(part of the drivetrain 28) and the front brake 30. The illustratedhandlebar 38 is a drop-style handlebar. In other embodiments, differenthandlebar styles may be employed (e.g., bullhorn, flat, riser, etc.), asdesired.

FIG. 2 shows the right bicycle control device 40 attached to thehandlebar 38. The right bicycle control device 40 includes a housing 46(e.g., a shifter body) that has first and second ends 48, 50. Thehousing 46 includes a handlebar mounting portion 52 at the first end 48,a horn portion 54 at the second end 50, and a gripping portion 56arranged between the handlebar mounting portion 52 and the horn portion54. The handlebar mounting portion 52 supports a clamp or clasp 58 usedto fasten the right bicycle control device 40 to the handlebar 38. Inthis embodiment, a shift lever 60 and a brake lever 62 are coupled tothe housing 46, and interact with the rear derailleur 42 and the rearbrake 32, respectively. In this embodiment, the left bicycle controldevice (not shown) is substantially identical and includes similarstructure to attach to the handlebar 38 and shift and brake levers tointeract with the front derailleur 44 and the front brake 30,respectively. In other embodiments the left and right bicycle controldevices may interact with different combinations of bicycle components.For purposes of simplicity, the right bicycle control device 40 will bediscussed, however, the structural and functional aspects of theremainder of the device 40 are applicable and relevant to the leftbicycle control device.

A grip cover 64 (e.g., a shifter cover, a hood cover, etc.) is disposedover at least portions of the gripping portion 56, and may be disposedover at least part of the horn portion 54, to provide a cushion or anergonomic gripping surface for a user. The grip cover 64 is removablefrom the housing 46. The removal of the grip cover 64 may be to provideaccess to internal components of the right bicycle control device 40, orto replace the grip cover 64. The grip cover 64 includes a first or highdurometer portion. The high durometer portion includes an attachmentmechanism 66, such as a snap tab which may include toolless connectionsuch as snap protrusions and/or other components to secure or attach thegrip cover 64 to the housing 46. The attachment mechanism 66 may alsoinvolve tool based attachment, such as with a screw as is illustratedwith reference to FIG. 7. The attachment mechanism 66, or componentsthereof, allows the grip cover 64 to removably engage the housing 46. Inan embodiment, the attachment mechanism 66 is formed of a same orsimilar high durometer material as the high durometer portion of thegrip cover 64. The grip cover 64 also includes a second or low durometerportion 68. The grip cover 64 further defines a transition area 70 thatextends between the first end 48 of the housing 46 and the handlebar 38.As used herein, relative durometer portions (e.g. high and low) aregeneral references to durometer scales. For example, the AmericanSociety for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) standard D2240 type A, typeD, and/or type OO scales may be used to measure relative or specificdurometer values. Other scale may also be used, such as the ASTM type Bor type C scales.

The high durometer portion and the low durometer portions of the gripcover may be connected or otherwise attached using any technique. Forexample, co-molding, co-bonding, and/or other techniques may be used.The high durometer portion and the low durometer portions may also beattached using mechanical techniques, such as is described with respectto FIGS. 8 and 9.

The grip cover 64 advantageously provides a tight-fitting relationshipto the housing 46. Grip cover designs may use a soft durometer materialto interlock with housings, resulting in an undesirable fit and finish.For example, thermoplastic elastomers or silicone are typical materialsthat are used and have a durometer of about 50 Shore A. Usage andaggressive riding conditions can cause the grip covers to creep andtwist on the housings because of the softness of the material. FIG. 3shows the housing 46 with the grip cover 64, the shift lever 60, and thebrake lever 62 removed for clarity. The housing 46 includes a gripengaging feature in the form of a recess 72 and a grip shoulder 74.While FIG. 3 shows a right side of the housing 46, the left side of thehousing 46 may include a retention receptacle in the form of a recess72, and/or grip shoulder 74. The grip shoulder 74 may be continuous,wrapping around the entire housing 46. The grip shoulder 74 defines agrip/housing interface profile where the grip cover 64 abuts the housing46. The grip/housing interface profile provides a substantially flushtransition from the grip cover 64 to the housing 46 to provide acomfortable gripping surface. In one embodiment, the housing 46 isconstructed of carbon fiber nylon composite or a glass filled nyloncomposite having a durometer of about 85 Shore D. In other embodiments,the housing 46 is constructed from a material having a durometer ofbetween about 55 and about 85 Shore D, as desired.

Turning to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the grip cover 64 is shown removedfrom the housing 46. The attachment mechanism 66 is a high durometerportion of the grip cover 64. The attachment mechanism 66, such as asnap tab, includes a grip cover projection 76 sized to engage surfacesdefining a snap recess 72. The attachment mechanism 66 includes a snaptab edge 78 that is shaped to engage a portion of the grip shoulder 74and match the corresponding portion of the grip/housing interfaceprofile to provide a smooth transition (see FIG. 5). While FIG. 4 showsa right side of the grip cover 64, the left side of the grip cover 64also includes an attachment mechanism 66 that is arranged to engage theleft side of the housing 46. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism66 is formed of a first material (e.g., Acrylonitrile butadiene styreneor ABS) having a durometer of about 75 Shore D. In other embodiments,the attachment mechanism 66 is constructed from a material having adurometer of between about 30 and about 85 Shore D, as desired.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the low durometer portion 68 defines a lowdurometer edge 80 that is shaped to engage a portion of the gripshoulder 74 and match the corresponding portion of the grip/housinginterface profile to provide a smooth transition. In one embodiment, thelow durometer portion 68 is formed of a second material (e.g.,thermoplastic polyurethane) having a durometer of about 50 Shore A. Inother embodiments, the low durometer portion 68 is constructed from amaterial having a durometer of between about 30 and about 70 Shore A, asdesired.

The transition area 70 may be constructed of the same material as thelow durometer portion 68 and is sized to envelop the housing 46 at thefirst end 48 and provide a transition to the handlebar 38. The lowdurometer portion 68 extends over the housing 46. In one embodiment, thetransition area 70 is sized such that a tension is applied to the lowdurometer material when the grip cover 64 is installed on the housing46. For example, uninstalled (i.e. untensioned) dimensions of the gripcover 64 may be different than installed (i.e. tensioned) dimensions ofthe grip cover 64 as the low durometer portion 68 of the grip cover 64is stretched over the housing 46, and secured to the housing 46 with thehigh durometer portion of the grip cover 64.

Turning to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the grip cover 64 is shown with theattachment mechanism 66 comolded to the low durometer portion 68 at aunion in the form of a comolding joint 82. In other words, theattachment mechanism 66 is joined to the low durometer portion 68 duringa molding process such that the grip cover 64, when formed, is a singlepiece. Further, the grip cover projection 76 includes a projectionretention mechanism in the form of a projection or hooking tab 84extending from the projection 76 and shaped to be received in a recess86 formed within the snap recess 72.

Assembly of the grip cover 64 onto the housing 46 will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 2. The transition area 70 is first passedover the brake lever 62 and the shift lever 60, and onto the housing 46.The transition portion 70 is then stretched over the horn portion 54 andthe gripping portion 56 until the transition area 70 is stretched overthe second end 50 of the housing 46 and creates a desirable transitionto the handlebar 38. The attachment mechanisms 66 are then pulled intoplace and the grip cover projections 76 are inserted or otherwiseattached into the snap recesses 72 formed in the housing 46 such thatthe tab edge 78 is abutted with the grip shoulder 74 formed in thehousing 46. Engagement of the attachment mechanism 66 with the snaprecesses 72 applies a tension to the low durometer portion 68 in thedirection shown by lines A and brings the low durometer edge 80 intoabutment with the grip shoulder 74 of the housing 46 such that a smoothgripping surface is provided around the right bicycle control device 40.The low durometer portion 68 is stretched across or over the housing 46such that the low durometer portion 68 is in contact with the housing 46and is inhibited from moving relative to the housing 46. The tensioncaused by the stretching causes a slight longitudinal deformation of thelow durometer portion 68 at least in the directions shown by lines A andincreases the resistance of the low durometer portion 68 to furtherstretching and deformation.

In operation, the user is provided with a cushioned gripping surface bythe low durometer portion 68 while the attachment mechanisms 66 providea secure connection to the housing 46 and reduce bagginess and twistrelative to the housing 46 during use. The grip cover 64 also provides asecurely connected gripping surface while leaving a portion 87 of thehousing 46 exposed (see, for example, FIG. 2), thereby providing theability to access a battery of an electronic shifting system or anothercomponent without the necessity of removing the grip cover 64. Theattachment mechanisms 66 provide for easy assembly and replacement ofthe grip covers 64 with less stretching and pulling required as comparedto typical grip covers. Additionally, because the attachment mechanisms66 interact with the snap recesses 72, the placement of the grip cover64 on the housing 46 is easier than with typical grip covers, resultingin more consistent and visually pleasing installations. The transitionarea 70 is arranged to provide a smooth transition to grip tape appliedto the handlebar 38, or a handlebar 38 with no grip tape applied, suchthat the user enjoys a continuous and improved gripping surface from thehandlebar 38 to the horn portion 54.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative grip cover 164 and housing 146 that aresimilar to the grip cover 64 and housing 46, respectively, describedabove, wherein like parts will be noted with similar numerals. The gripcover 164 includes a snap projection 176 and a snap retention mechanismin the form of a groove 88 sized to receive a snap, or retaining, ring90. The snap recess 172 defines a through hole sized to receive the snapprojection 176. In operation, the user inserts the snap projection 176into the snap recess 172 and the snap, or retaining, ring 90 is engagedwith surfaces defining the groove 88 to maintain the grip cover 164 inposition relative to the housing 146.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative grip cover 264 and housing 246 that aresimilar to the grip cover 64 and housing 46, respectively, describedabove, wherein like parts will be noted with similar numerals. The gripcover 264 includes a projection 276 and a retention mechanism in theform of a through hole 92 sized to receive a fastener in the form of ascrew 94. The recess 272 includes a fastener aperture 96 sized toreceive the screw 94. In operation, the user inserts the projection 276into the recess 272 and the screw 94 is passed through the through hole92 and engaged with surfaces defining the fastener aperture 96 tomaintain the grip cover 264 in position relative to the housing 246.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternative grip cover 364 that is similar to thegrip cover 64 described above, for example having a first end and asecond end 448, 450. The low durometer portion 368 of the grip cover 364is not comolded to the high durometer portion that includes the snaptabs 366, but is rather mechanically connected thereto. The lowdurometer portion 368 defines a coupling aperture 98 and the snap tab366 includes a coupling projection 100 sized to engage surfaces definingthe coupling aperture 98 and connect the snap tab 366 to the lowdurometer portion 368. In one embodiment, the low durometer portionincludes multiple coupling apertures 98 and multiple couplingprojections 100 that interact to connect the snap tab 366 to the lowdurometer portion 368. In operation, the snap tab 366 is engaged withthe low durometer portion 368 ahead of installation onto the housing 46.In other embodiments, the high durometer portion includes a press fitsnap or a molder zipper.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are directed to a right bicycle control device 440 thatis similar to the right bicycle control device 40 discussed above,wherein like components are identified with similar numerals. The gripcover 464 includes a high durometer portion that includes an attachmentmechanism having an interlocking slide 102 shaped to be received withina retention receptacle in the form of a groove or sliding track 104provided in the housing 446. As is clearly shown in FIG. 11, the lowdurometer portion 468 is comolded to the interlocking slide 102. Inanother embodiment, the interlocking slide 102 may mechanically couplewith the low durometer portion 486. The illustrated interlocking slide102 provides a generally hook shaped cross section. In otherembodiments, the interlocking slide 102 and corresponding sliding track104 may define a captured profile, such that the interlocking slide 102cannot exit the sliding track 104 in a direction perpendicular to asliding direction B. In operation, the grip cover 464 is installed byinterlocking the interlocking slide 102 with the sliding track 104 andsliding the interlocking slide 102 in the direction B until the gripcover 464 is positioned as desired.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are directed to a right bicycle control device 540 thatis similar to the right bicycle control device 40 discussed above,wherein like components are identified with similar numerals, forexample a first end and a second end 548, 550. The grip cover 564includes a high durometer portion in the form of a concealed rigid shell106 that includes projections 108 arranged to be received in retentionreceptacles. The grip cover 564 also includes a grip shoulder 474 and anedge 480 to a low durometer portion. In the present embodiment, theretention receptacles comprise recesses 110 formed in the housing 546corresponding to the projections 108. The low durometer portion 568 iscomolded over the top of the concealed rigid shell 2106. In operation,the grip cover 564 is pressed onto the housing 546 until the projections108 of the concealed rigid shell 106 snap into the recesses 110 to holdthe grip cover 564 in place relative to the housing 546 without the useof additional fasteners or sliding undercuts.

FIGS. 14-17 are directed to a housing 646 and a grip cover 664 that aresimilar to the housing 46 and the grip cover 64 discussed above, whereinlike components are identified with similar numerals, for example afirst end and a second end 648, 650, and a grip shoulder 674. The gripcover 664 includes a high durometer portion in the form of a pluralityof concealed snaps 112 and concealed ribs 114 arranged to be receivedwithin a retention receptacle in the form of corresponding snap recesses116 and rib recesses 118, respectively. In operation, the grip cover 664is assembled similarly to the grip cover 64 by pulling the transitionarea 670 onto the housing first, then engaging the concealed snaps 112with the snap recesses 116 and the concealed ribs 114 with the ribrecesses 118 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In another embodiment, thearrangement of concealed snaps 112 and concealed ribs 114 could becombined with other embodiments. For example, the concealed snaps 112and concealed ribs 114 could extend from the concealed rigid shell 106discussed above. Alternatively, the concealed snaps 112 and concealedribs 114 could be constructed of the low durometer material and be usedin conjunction with another high durometer portion including anattachment mechanism, such as snap tabs, for example.

Turning now to FIG. 18, the transition area 70 is shown in crosssection, which provides a continuous annular surface that contacts andsurrounds a housing. FIG. 19 shows another embodiment where a transitionarea 721 includes a seam 723 that allows two high durometer portions inthe form of interlocking slides 725 to come apart. The interlockingslides 725 could engage a housing arranged to receive the interlockingslides 725 to hold the transition area 721 in place when installed ontoa right bicycle control device. FIG. 20 shows another embodiment where atransition area 821 includes a zipper 829 that can be opened and closedto aid installation of the grip cover.

In an embodiment, a grip cover for a bicycle control device includes ahigh durometer portion comprising an attachment mechanism configured toengage the bicycle control device to maintain the grip cover in contactwith the bicycle control device. The grip cover also includes a lowdurometer portion connected to the high durometer portion, the lowdurometer portion dimensioned to extend over the bicycle control device.The low durometer portion may be configured to be tensioned by the highdurometer portion when the grip cover is installed on the bicyclecontrol device. The high durometer portion may define a durometer ofbetween about 30 and about 85 Shore D, and the low durometer portion maydefine a durometer of between about 30 and about 70 Shore A. Forexample, the low durometer portion may define a durometer of about 50Shore A and the high durometer portion may define a durometer of about75 Shore D. The high durometer portion may be constructed ofacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and the low durometer portion may beconstructed of thermoplastic polyurethane. The attachment mechanism mayinvolve tooled or tool-less attachment to the bicycle control device.The attachment mechanism of the high durometer portion may include oneor more projections configured to engage the bicycle control device. Theprojection may include a tab and/or a groove and a retaining ringengagable with surfaces defining the groove to maintain the grip coverinstalled on the bicycle control device. The projection may include athrough hole sized to receive a fastener that passes through the throughhole and is configured to engage the bicycle control device. Theattachment mechanism of the high durometer portion may include aninterlocking slide configured to engage the bicycle control device. Theattachment mechanism of the high durometer portion includes a concealedshell configured to engage the bicycle control device. The attachmentmechanism of the high durometer portion may include a concealed snapconfigured to engage the bicycle control device. The attachmentmechanism of the high durometer portion may include a concealed ribconfigured to engage the bicycle control device. The attachmentmechanism of the high durometer portion may include a zipper. The lowdurometer portion and the high durometer portion are coupled. Forexample, the low durometer portion and the high durometer portion may becomolded and/or mechanically coupled.

In an embodiment, a grip cover for a bicycle control device includes alow durometer portion defining a durometer of less than about 70 Shore Aand configured to be stretched across the bicycle control device. Thelow durometer portion may define a durometer of between about 30 andabout 70 Shore A, for example 50 shore A. The low durometer portion maybe constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane.

In an embodiment, a bicycle control device comprising includes a housinghaving a retention receptacle and a lever coupled to the housing. Thebicycle control device also includes a grip cover coupled to the housingand including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the firstportion has a durometer value greater than the second portion, whereinthe first portion engages the retention receptacle to maintain the gripcover on the housing, and wherein the second portion is connected to thefirst portion and extends over the housing. The retention receptacle mayinclude a recess, and the first portion may include an attachmentmechanism configured to be received within the recess. The attachmentmechanism may include a projection sized to be received within therecess. The attachment mechanism may include the projection and ahooking tab extending from the projection and sized to be receivedwithin the recess. The attachment mechanism may include a projection anda groove formed on the projection. The projection may be sized to bereceived within the recess, and may further include a retaining ringengagable with surfaces defining the groove to maintain the projectionwithin the recess. The attachment mechanism may include a projectionsized to be received within the recess, and may further include afastener passing through the projection and engaging the housing. Theretention receptacle may include a slide track, and the first portionmay include an interlocking slide sized to be slidingly received withinthe slide track. The retention receptacle may include a plurality ofrecesses, and the first portion may include a plurality of projectionsreceived in the plurality of recesses. The first portion may include aconcealed shell. The retention receptacle may include a plurality ofprojection recesses and a plurality of rib recesses, and the firstportion may include an attachment mechanism comprising a plurality ofconcealed projections sized to be received within the plurality ofprojection recesses and a plurality of concealed ribs sized to bereceived within the plurality of rib recesses. The second portion mayinclude a transition area that annularly surrounds the housing. Thesecond portion may define a durometer of between about 30 and about 70Shore A, and/or the first portion may define a durometer of betweenabout 30 and about 85 Shore D. The first portion may be constructed ofacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and the second portion may beconstructed of thermoplastic polyurethane. The second portion and thefirst portion may be comolded.

Numerous modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein will beapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoingdescription. For example, any of the embodiments disclosed herein may bemodified to include any of the structures and/or methodologies disclosedin connection with different embodiments. Accordingly, this disclosureis to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purposeof enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention andto teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to allmodifications which come within the scope of the appended claims arereserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grip cover for a bicycle control device, thegrip cover comprising: a first durometer portion and a second durometerportion, the first durometer portion having a higher durometer than thesecond durometer portion, the first durometer portion comprising anattachment mechanism that includes a projection configured to engage thebicycle control device to maintain the grip cover in contact with thebicycle control device, the projection including a tab; and the seconddurometer portion connected to the first durometer portion, the seconddurometer portion dimensioned to fit on the bicycle control device. 2.The grip cover of claim 1, wherein the second durometer portion isconfigured to be tensioned by the first durometer portion when the gripcover is installed on the bicycle control device.
 3. The grip cover ofclaim 1, wherein the first durometer portion defines a durometer ofbetween 30 and 85 Shore D, and the second durometer portion defines adurometer of between 30 and 70 Shore A.
 4. The grip cover of claim 3,wherein the second durometer portion defines a durometer of 50 Shore A.5. The grip cover of claim 4, wherein the first durometer portiondefines a durometer of 75 Shore D.
 6. The grip cover of claim 1, whereinthe first durometer portion is constructed of acrylonitrile butadienestyrene.
 7. The grip cover of claim 1, wherein the second durometerportion is constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane.
 8. The grip coverof claim 1, wherein the projection includes a groove and a retainingring engagable with surfaces defining the groove to maintain the gripcover installed on the bicycle control device.
 9. The grip coverassembly of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a through holesized to receive a fastener that passes through the through hole and isconfigured to engage the bicycle control device.
 10. The grip cover ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism of the first durometer portionincludes an interlocking slide configured to engage the bicycle controldevice.
 11. The grip cover of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanismof the first durometer portion includes a concealed shell configured toengage the bicycle control device.
 12. The grip cover of claim 1,wherein the attachment mechanism of the first durometer portion includesa concealed rib configured to engage the bicycle control device.
 13. Thegrip cover of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism of the firstdurometer portion comprises a plurality projections configured to engagethe bicycle control device.
 14. The grip cover of claim 1, wherein thesecond durometer portion and the first durometer portion are comolded.15. The grip cover of claim 1, wherein the second durometer portion andthe first durometer portion are mechanically coupled.
 16. The grip coverof claim 1, wherein the second durometer portion is configured cover atleast part of a gripping portion of the bicycle control device.
 17. Thegrip cover of claim 1, wherein the projection is a first projection, andthe grip cover further comprises a second projection, the secondprojection disposed on a different side of the bicycle control devicethan the first projection.
 18. The grip cover of claim 17, wherein thesecond durometer portion is disposed between the first projection andthe second projection.